IN PURSUIT OF A LADY
TEMPTING THE RECLUSIVE EARL
ENTICING THE RELUCTANT HEIR
IMPROPER LADIES A Regency historical romance series about ladies who misbehave and the gentlemen who love them to Dragonblade Flame.
Is it possible to fall in love at first sight? Despite everything against it?
Rushing to her father’s defense, Lucy Kershaw has just told a dreadful lie to two spiteful ladies. Her father is not, as she said, the heir to a marquessate. Although the Kershaws are related to the Marquess of Berkwick, he has an heir and a spare. Immediately regretting the impulse, Lucy hopes it is quickly forgotten, even though the handsome Earl of Dorchester overhears her. Her father’s success at the gaming tables means he can now send her to her aunt in London for the Season. And Lucy fears the lie will follow her there and cause a dreadful scandal.
In London, the news has already spread, and suitors and fortune hunters rush to present themselves to her aunt. Fearing it will all fall down like a house of cards, Lucy just wants to go back to Bath. But she is surprised to have a sympathetic ear in Lord Dorchester, who dances with her at a London ball and introduces her to his sister. Lucy is drawn to him, although she knows he is betrothed, and even if he weren’t, they move in different worlds. Unwilling to let the scandal, which is spreading through the ton, touch him, she tries to keep him at arm’s length. But that proves not easy to do as each time they meet, the attraction grows stronger.
When Hugh Fairburn, Lord Dorchester, comes across a lady at a ball, he is immediately taken with her. Despite the fact that he just heard her telling a blatant lie.
Years ago, his father arranged for him to marry the neighbor’s daughter once she emerged from the schoolroom. Left in limbo until then, Hugh joined the army. But while he was away fighting Napoleon, his father died, and the chance to overturn his decision on Hugh’s marriage died with him.
While his betrothed shows little enthusiasm for marriage, Hugh remains honor-bound to keep his father’s promise—even as his thoughts remain on Miss Kershaw. His sister and she have become bosom friends, and Miss Kershaw is often within his orbit, tempting him to forgo his duty. Despite his own betrothal, Hugh feels a sense of urgency to act, to declare his feelings as other men pursue Miss Kershaw, particularly one who might even be dangerous.
Is there a chance to overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles which keep them apart and have that happy ending?
Falling for the Earl by Maggi Andersen is the second in the Improper Ladies series. Hugh Fairburn was called away from France when his father died and he became Earl of Dorchester. Early in his sojourn back into society he met a young woman named Miss Lucy Kershaw, who was speaking up to two society matrons, correcting what she viewed as misinformation. He was enchanted, but knowing he was betrothed to Miss Isabel Ashton and had been for years, their fathers had arranged it, he moved on. When her met Lucy again in London he was just as enthralled, but not only had Miss Ashton to contend with, but also his sister and his failing mother. His sister was enthralled with a most unsuitable man and Hugh felt like he needed to keep an eye on that situation. He involved both Lucy and his friend, Hugh, who he thought would make Sarah a much superior husband.
Hugh was nothing if not honorable. When presented with the situation in which her could ruin Lucy, he stubbornly refused despite her assurances that it was what she wanted. She had proven very helpful with Sarah as she was eminently sensible and his betrothal had been broken, but he still hesitated. He was an excellent character. There were plenty of twists and turns on the road to happiness for this couple. It was an intriguing novel, full of duty and yet plenty of room for love. I enjoyed it tremendously. Thanks, Maggi Andersen!
Goodreads review: *****
IMPROPER LADIES A Regency historical romance series about ladies who misbehave and the gentlemen who love them to Dragonblade Flame.
The Mysterious Lord Ballantine
Falling for the Earl
Ravished by the Rake
Amazon Review: The book was a treat, no other way to describe it. I've had the fortune to read historical romances where some social issues are addressed tactfully, but never taking away from the main romance and oversaturating the plot; only a good flow can do that. Add that to the thrilling aspects of Lord Ballantine's work with the Crown, everything mixes up wonderfully, making this book a total snack read. Very well, Maggi Andersen!
THE DUKE'S MASQUERADE Nominated for the 2024 Raven Awards!
The ton loves a mischievous lord until he crosses the line of decorum, then they must decide whether to give the transgressing lord a chance to reform, or give him the cut direct.
Tate faces a nefarious criminal in the fight for his love and his estate.
A duke fighting to keep his estate. A lady intent on discovering what the man she loves hides from her. In disguise, beneath the very noses of the curious ton, His Grace Tarleton Fanshawe, Duke of Lindsey, works to solve a mystery and get the better of a villain intent on stealing all that he holds dear.
At the death of his father, His Grace Tarleton Fanshawe, Duke of Lindsey’s safe world, turns upside down. His historic estate, Cloudhill, is soon to be snatched away. Tate must go undercover to discover why his father, who never gambled, lost the family fortune, and he has little time to do it. And worse, he must face the possibility the woman he loves will marry another man before the spring Season has ended. But when Tate’s carriage stops in a village on the way to London, he meets a man with a remarkable likeness to him, and an idea is formed.
Lady Ianthe Granville has loved Tate since she was in the schoolroom, and believed they would someday marry. She is shocked when he not only fails to propose, he seems to accept he will lose her to another. Her come-out is a bitter disappointment, and as her father is intent on marrying her to a man she does not love, Ianthe takes it upon herself to discover just what it is that has caused this change in Tate, and why he has adopted an extraordinary disguise.
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Improper Lords
Book 1 - The Duke’s Masquerade
Book 2 - The Marquess Takes a Misstep
Book 3 - The Earl’s Brazen Bargain
About to choose his bride in London, Hartley Montford, newly minted Marquess of Pembury, learns his neighbor’s niece, Lady Madeline Howard, has gone missing, Hart drops everything to go in search of her. Despite Maddie being an annoyingly frank-speaking and independent young woman who he would never add to his list.
He could ruin her in the eyes of the ton.
She could save him from a life of solitude.
Back on the London marriage mart at almost twenty-six and with no dowry, Laura Peyton holds little hope that a gentleman will want her for herself, when most seek affairs or youthful wives. When her brother makes a financial agreement with the Earl of Debnam to save his estate, Laura’s reputation may be ruined once and for all. She finds herself staying at the estate of the rake the ton call “the Phantom Earl,” where she is expected to fulfill his wishes for a month-long affair.
But she begins to suspect Lord Debnam is not simply the outrageous rake who danced with her in London. The mystery surrounding the elusive earl makes her determined to stay long enough to discover why he is the way he is. The more the attraction between them grows to fever pitch, the greater her need to get close to his true self.
Because of a family tragedy, Brendan Cowper, Earl of Debnam, is determined never to marry. In London, he indulges in unfulfilling short-lived affairs, but deep down, he longs for a woman’s softness and her understanding. Is love always to remain beyond his reach?
Brendan wants Laura Peyton in his bed but now regrets placing Laura, whose natural charm and honesty have maneuvered a way into his reluctant heart, in danger of far more than scandal.
The taint of murder hangs over Beechley Park. But sending her away—even to protect her—is far harder than he ever thought possible.
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#RegencyRomance, #Earl, #Wounded Hero, #Wealthy hero, #Reforming the Rake, #Enemies to Lovers, #Beauty and the Beast, #Scandal/Compromised, #Killer on the Loose, #Mystery, #Romantic Suspense.
5 star Goodreads review: "Their waltz was the beginning of their lives intertwining. His brazen bargain was how they learned to see the real person and fell in love. Both characters are lovely with caring dispositions. Except his fears would set them apart. How that was resolved makes this an interesting and enjoyable read."
I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.